A-440 and Ethics.

[Ron Nossaman]

>              I do not like to raise the A4 pitch on any piano more than 
> say 1/4 a tone or so, if it's been neglectd tunings. This is because I 
> don't want to run the risk of cracking anyone's harp plate, let alone 
> breaking strings. Especially on the little spinets, whose plates are 5/8" 
> or less thick.

Every piano that is strung or restrung goes from zero tension to full 
tension at pitch with a couple of chipping passes. If it did it once 
without breaking the plate, I see no reason that it won't do it again. 
Strings aren't any less likely to break if they are pulled up in increments 
over years than if they are pulled up in similar increments on the same 
day. They don't heal up and get stronger by waiting and sneaking up on them 
later. It just means that they have more money invested in it if/when the 
strings do start breaking as it gets closer to pitch. Better to get it over 
with in one appointment and know where you stand, in my opinion. If string 
breakage is a concern, you just make multiple passes to minimize overpull 
as you get it up to pitch, or you leave it below pitch permanently and 
educate the customer as to what they have. Either way, you need to inform 
the customer what you propose to do and why, and let them make the decision 
and take the responsibility for it.

Ron N